Iran’s Leader slams Trump’s peace rhetoric as ‘shameful lie’
Speaking during a meeting with educators from across the country on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei described Trump’s statements during his recent regional visit as “beneath response” and “a source of shame for both the speaker and the American nation.”
“He claimed he wants to use power to create peace. That is a lie. When have they ever used power for peace?” the Leader asked. “They use these ten-ton bombs to give the Zionist regime a chance to drop them on the children of Gaza, hospitals, people’s homes, in Lebanon, and everywhere else.”
Ayatollah Khamenei added that while power can be used for peace and security, the US has used its might to deliver deadly weapons to allies like Israel, leading to civilian deaths in Gaza, Lebanon, and other conflict zones.
The Leader pointed out Iran’s stance, stating, “It is precisely for this reason that, to the dismay of our enemies, we will continue to strengthen our national power every day, God willing.”
Source: IFP Editorial Staff
US seeking to relocate up to 1 million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya: Report
The plan would see up to 1 million Palestinians moved to the North African country, NBC News reported, citing five people familiar with the plan. Two of those individuals said the proposal has progressed far enough that it has been discussed directly with Libya’s leadership.
The US has offered to unfreeze billions of dollars in frozen Libyan funds if the country agrees to resettle the displaced Palestinians, said three of the sources. They said the Israeli government has been kept abreast of the talks, and emphasized that no final agreement has been reached.
Trump said Thursday that the US should “take” possession of Gaza and turn it a “freedom zone.”
“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good, make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone. Have a real freedom zone, because it seems that Gaza, every time, every 10 years, it happens, and more than that. It really happens all throughout. It never solved the Gaza problem,” he told reporters in Qatar before departing for the United Arab Emirates, the final stop on his Persian Gulf tour.
Trump stated that “if it’s necessary, I think I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone.”
“Let some good things happen. Put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with,” he added.
A former US official told NBC news that the number of Palestinians who would voluntarily leave Gaza remains uncertain and said officials are contemplating offering financial incentives, including free housing and a stipend, to get them to relocate.
But there are significant logistical and financial challenges associated with the plan. Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011, when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power.
Armed clashes erupted again this week in the capital city of Tripoli, but a ceasefire was brokered Wednesday that ended two days of fighting. Attacks began Monday with the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, the former head of the Stability Support Apparatus affiliated with Libya’s Presidential Council.
Source: Ifp Media Wire
Trump vows sanctions on Russia if peace negotiations fail, claims Putin is ‘tired’ of war
“Honestly, I will (impose sanctions), if we’re not gonna make a deal,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview.
“This is turkey time, we’re talking turkey, and we’ll see what happens. This would be crushing for Russia because they’re having a hard time now with the economy, oil prices are low.”
Trump’s comments come as peace talks in Istanbul ended with no breakthrough, and Russia once again issued sweeping demands, including Ukraine’s adoption of neutral status, dropping claims for war reparations from Moscow and the recognition of its loss of Crimea and four occupied regions none of which Russia fully controls.
European leaders, who have been working in coordination with Washington to pressure the Kremlin, voiced frustration with Russia’s posture and confusion over Trump’s shifting signals in recent weeks. While the U.S. and Europe had appeared united in pushing for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Trump has since emphasized the need for direct engagement with Putin and has been non-committal on new sanctions.
“I always felt there can’t be a meeting without me because I don’t think a deal’s going to get through… There’s a lot of hatred on both sides,: Trump said, reiterating that he intends to meet Putin soon.
“I have a very good relationship with Putin. I think we’ll make a deal. We have to get together, and I think we’ll probably schedule it.”
He also claimed that Putin is ready to negotiate.
“Putin is at the table,” Trump added, although he was not physically present during the talks. “He wanted this meeting… I think Putin is tired of this whole thing. And he’s not looking good, and he wants to look good.”
Asked whether Putin was the main obstacle to peace, Trump instead pointed to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Look, I had a really rough session with Zelensky. He didn’t make it easy and I always said that he doesn’t have the cards (to win)… you are dealing with the massive army,” he stated.
Ukraine continues to insist on a ceasefire, supported by the U.S. and Europe, saying that a halt to active warfare must come before any real peace talks are possible. Russia has so far rejected a truce four times — on March 11, March 25, May 11 and the most recent one on May 16 in Istanbul.
Source: Ifp Media Wire